Birria Catrina Roncesvalle – 131 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, ON M6R 2L2
Country: Mexico    
Seating: Indoor seating only. 
Dinner guests: Pornstar Sam, RyHy & T$
Must-try dish: Birria with cheese
The high: They do one thing exceptionally well. 
The low: Don’t bother going here if you don’t eat beef. 

The Birria Taco revolution has officially hit Toronto, and it’s damn delicious. A birria-style taco is slow cooked beef in a flavourful consommé broth wrapped in a soft taco shell then fried. It can be enhanced with cheese that melts as the taco is cooking. It’s served extra hot with a small cup of consommé to dip in if the desire is there. Tender meat and gooey cheese has never tasted better. 

Of three locations, the Roncesvalle outpost is the newest and the only one offering seating. Colourful graffiti adorns the walls with Mexican themes that pair well with the Spanish music playing from the speakers. There’s definitely a vibe happening in this place. 

The menu is simple and straight to the point – it’s all about the birria, bitch. The only difference from one item on the menu from another is the vehicle to enjoy the birria, and whether or not to add cheese. So as long as you love seasoned braised beef, you’ll be happy, and likely very full upon leaving. 

The menu is concise – you either get individual portions or combos of birria stew between taco shells, pieces of bread, or in a soup, occasionally with cheese mixed in. With a group, ordering a few of the combos and any single additions can be added on. Small bowls of consommé come with each order to dip the birria into, or to drink if that’s your thing. Not finishing the consommé is a true crime though. There are chopped raw onion, ciltaro and hot sauces to mix in depending on your preference. 

The Birria Ramen certainly was a clash of cultures, but it was well executed and would be “just what the doctor ordered” on a chilly day. The consommé broth is the base with noodles and pieces of beef with onions and cilantro. The liquid alone is heavy and the other ingredients make it a hearty meal that works well as a sharing dish with a group. 

Unfortunately the Birria Torta was out of stock on the night we went in for dinner, but judging by the rest of the dishes, it would have been terrific. A torta is a Mexican sandwich on a kaiser-style bun. There are usually several ingredients to pick from, but at Birria Catrina Roncesvalle, the decision on filling is already made for you! 

As for drinks, all Mexican coca-cola enthusiasts will be pleased to know that there’s some of it in stock. The real show stopped is the extensive selection of Jarritos, which are Mexican soft drink/juice combinations all with a different fruit flavour. The favourites of the night were the grapefruit, pineapple, and mango. At the moment they do not have a liquor license but it seems like I may be in the works.

Traditionally, a chef’s birria is rated on how delicious the consommé is on its own. If we’re going to play by those rules, then the recipe at Birria Catrina Roncesvalle gets a ten out ten. 

It’s exciting that a small staff in Kensington Market made it to the big times with a few locations, and a sit down restaurant. We’re looking forward to seeing what else these guys have up their sleeves because it’s going to be delicious. What a space! 

Eat with you soon, 

Mandrea Bike
(Mat & Andrea)